He is 17 years old and the club is already working on his renewal because they believe he is the next big star.
Hansi Flick is brave. He doesn't hesitate when it comes to replacing an established player or promoting a young player from the youth academy to the first team. He demonstrated this last season and maintains the same work philosophy this season. He believes in meritocracy, not stripes. And one of the latest promising players the coach believes has earned the right to rise to the elite is Dro. Yes, Dro. Dro Fernández , a youngster from La Masia who is just 17 years old.
Dro didn't start against Vissel Kobe in the first game of preseason, coming on at the Noevir Stadium in the 79th minute. Marcus Rashford replaced him . Eight minutes later, he scored his first goal for Hansi Flick's team. It was a dream debut for the Under-17 international, who plays both as an attacking midfielder and as a left-sided winger.
"I came in a little nervous, but the first chance fell and I was in. It was the first time I played for the best club in the world and I was very nervous. Talking to Hansi calmed me down a bit, and my teammates... I have to thank them for their confidence," Pedro Fernández Sarmiento said shyly after the match in Kobe Dro .
Characteristics
Dro , born in Vigo , joined the Barça youth team in the summer of 2022. The U19 player , whose mother is Filipino and whose father is Galician, has a contract with Barcelona until June 2027 and the Catalan club has already begun talks regarding his renewal. Everyone, not just Flick , is fascinated by his talent: his technique, vision, creativity, ball control, ability to break the lines... have not gone unnoticed by any of the coaches, professionals and executives at the Barça club. They don't want the pearl to escape.
Flick brought him up to the first team during training at the Ciudad Deportiva two weeks ago, and he won him over. The reports about him left no room for doubt, and upon seeing him, the former Bayern player confirmed his quality. He was one of the young players chosen, along with Jofre, Guille, Toni Fernández, and Kochen , to join the expedition for the Asian tour . He didn't make the cut despite being only 17 years old.
"I really liked Jofre Torrents' and Dro's debuts , as well as the rest. I see them training and they have quality. Dro scored a goal... I'm happy to have them. We have to take care of them, help them improve. That's our job, and we will do it," commented the German coach. Flick and the entire club want to protect and retain the young Galician. They are confident in his great potential.